Physical exam for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)

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The physical exam for a baby or child who is suspected of having FASD will include:

Measurements of height, weight, and size of the head. These will be plotted on a graph to compare them with normal ranges for the child's age group. Children with FASD are smaller and shorter than other children their age.
Evaluation of facial features. Not all babies and children with FASD have the characteristic features: a small face, narrow eye openings (slits), a short upturned nose, a flattened groove between the nose and the upper lip (philtrum), and a thin upper lip. These features may not be present or may be subtle and easy to miss in a baby. The facial features, if present, become more noticeable by the time the child is about 2 to 3 years of age.
Examination of the child for signs of birth defects related to alcohol exposure, such as heart defects and hearing loss.
Examination of the nervous system. The doctor will look for signs of problems with the central nervous system, such as tremors, irritability, and attention problems.

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Author	Debby Golonka, MPH
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Associate Editor	Terrina Vail
Primary Medical Reviewer	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Ernest L. Abel, PhD - Reproductive Toxicology
Last Updated	April 2, 2007

Last updated:	April 02, 2007
Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH
Reviewed By:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Ernest L. Abel, PhD - Reproductive Toxicology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Terrina Vail

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